You want to learn more about me. I'm flattered!
You want to learn more about me. I'm flattered!
Embedded Files
I grew up in a small beach town in the Florida Panhandle, where the Gulf was a big part of everyday life. As a kid, I was all about basketball and cheeseburgers—if they’d served them at Italian restaurants, that would’ve been my go-to. I dabbled in other sports too, like baseball, golf and soccer, though I never quite found my stride there. I was lucky to grow up in a close-knit family with supportive parents and a sharp, inspiring sibling.
My love for music was sparked the first time I heard “No Such Thing” by John Mayer on the radio—a moment that shifted something in me forever. That discovery eventually led me to pick up the acoustic guitar, which I’ve been playing ever since. I’m no virtuoso, but I can hold my own well enough to impress at the occasional campfire jam.
During high school, I developed a deep love for the beach and spent as much time near the water as I could. Surfing, skimboarding, ultimate frisbee, and spearfishing became my go-to pastimes. One of my favorite memories from those years was fishing with a close friend—mostly because he handled all the tough parts while I just got to enjoy the moment.
I ran cross country and briefly attempted golf, though I might hold the record for the fastest removal from a team due to sheer lack of skill (I still blame the left-handed golf balls). My early jobs ranged from fixing lawn equipment to working in retail and at a local church. While I don’t necessarily miss the work itself, those experiences helped shape the strong work ethic I carry with me today.
One of the highlights from that time was being part of the school’s mock trial team. We never made it to the championship round, but the experience helped me build confidence and taught me how to think on my feet.
After high school, I started my college journey at a small state college in the Florida Panhandle. With real money on the line (thanks to generous parents), I found myself more focused and motivated. I took some surprisingly memorable humanities courses—speech, physical education, and even a cinema appreciation class that taught me the difference between sync and non-sync sound (which I’ll probably remember forever). While the classes were great, the drives to campus with a close friend stand out as some of my favorite moments—nothing like long car rides to solidify a friendship.
After earning my associate degree, I transferred to a large university in Central Florida to study Exercise Science. From the very first day, I gravitated toward the Human Performance Lab and immersed myself completely. I spent nearly all my time between classes there—helping out, learning, and soaking it all in. I still look back fondly on competing for the top score on the Dynavision board and watching athletes push their limits on VO2 Max and Wingate tests, especially on the unforgiving Curve treadmill.
One of the most rewarding parts of my college experience—outside the classroom—was working at the campus Recreation and Wellness Center. I started as a fitness attendant, eventually moved into a supervisory role, and briefly held a building manager position… until I missed a few key trainings and had to give it up. That moment was tough, but it turned out to be a blessing. Not long after, new lead positions opened up—some of the most competitive roles on campus. I poured everything I had into the application process, staying up for two straight days to craft a solid presentation. The effort paid off, and I landed the lead role for the fitness team.
The best part of that job wasn’t just the leadership experience—it was sharing a small office on the weight floor with an incredible team. We laughed, cried, sang way too often, and ran countless CPR drills. "Chest compressions, chest compressions, chest compressions" became a kind of unofficial motto. Leading that crew remains one of my favorite memories from my time in college.
After earning my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Health Administration. While I loved the science of movement and performance, I felt a pull toward the business side of healthcare.
During grad school, something unexpected and life-changing happened—I met the woman who would become my partner in life. We first crossed paths at work, thanks to a random twist of scheduling fate. A fitness class was happening, and I happened to be covering a shift due to a staff shortage. Her team joined the class, and I was instantly drawn in—her energy, kindness, and wit were impossible to ignore.
Since our workplace had a very clear (and appropriate) policy about not hitting on patrons, I went the high school route: I asked a mutual supervisor if she could find out if the feeling was mutual and maybe pass along my number. She was thrilled to help—but then, silence. Days turned into weeks, and I assumed the moment had passed.
Then, while dropping by a farewell party for a colleague, I found myself face-to-face with the supervisor I had asked for help. After a quick goodbye and some small talk, I turned to leave, not realizing that the story wasn’t over just yet...
…But just as I was walking out the door, I heard my name. A colleague called me back and said, “Hey, I have something for you.” I was puzzled—what could it be? Then she added, “Pull out your phone—I’ve got a number to share with you. Turns out someone’s interested.”
That moment changed everything.
On the first date, I found out the number had actually been cleared to be shared the day we met. Life was hectic at the time—our supervisors were preparing to relocate across the country—so the delay made sense in hindsight. Still, the timing couldn’t have worked out better.
In the weeks that followed, we went on a few memorable dates, took a spontaneous two-day cruise to the Bahamas, and started learning Acro Yoga. Wherever we traveled, we’d capture a photo of a pose, turn it into a postcard, and mail it to family—one favorite was snapped in front of the Golden Gate Bridge during a Spring Break trip.
Eventually, I proposed in the same spot where we first met—just outside the campus gym that unknowingly set everything in motion.
After graduating, I began working at a major hospital where I had previously interned for over a semester. One fun detail: the same person who mentored me during that internship later officiated my wedding.
About six months into that role, my partner and I decided it was time for a change. We had both spent our entire lives in Florida and felt a strong pull to explore new places, meet new people, and push ourselves beyond the familiar. I landed what I thought was my dream role—a consulting position with a respected healthcare advisory firm—which brought us to Austin, Texas. Shortly after the move, we got married in the mountains of northern Georgia, surrounded by our favorite people.
But after about a year in consulting, I realized the role didn’t fulfill me the way I had hoped. The work felt more like a chore than a calling. So I gave my notice and began asking colleagues what they thought I might be well-suited for outside of consulting. The feedback was nearly unanimous—they thought I’d thrive in sales. I took their advice to heart and made the leap into a new career path as a sales representative.
I had the opportunity to join a fast-growing tech startup as one of the first Account Executives—employee number 70 at the time. The high-growth, fast-paced, and autonomous environment was electric, and I was hooked from the start. That company challenged me in the best ways, teaching me that success isn’t rooted in past achievements but in showing up and delivering in the present.
Over nearly five years, I grew with the company, earned several promotions, and eventually stepped into a leadership role managing a Sales Development team. Guiding early-career sales professionals and watching them grow became one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. I look back on that chapter with gratitude and a deep appreciation for the tight-knit culture we built together.
While working at the startup, my partner and I welcomed our first child. Becoming a parent was a completely new experience—equal parts challenging and rewarding. A few years later, we had our second, and while no two journeys are the same, the second time around felt far more manageable.
Family is everything to me. I was raised with the belief that each generation should build upon the last, and that mindset continues to drive me today. Watching my kids grow has been the greatest joy of my life. Time moves fast—one moment I was holding my first newborn, and now I’m hearing those first words being read aloud. I’d do anything for this little crew, a thousand times over, and I’m beyond grateful to have a front-row seat to all that’s still to come.
After my time at the startup, I joined another fast-moving company as a Sales Development Manager. It didn’t take long to find that same sense of camaraderie I’d experienced before. This new role required me to get up to speed quickly on the ins and outs of the eCommerce industry—a steep learning curve that anyone in the field knows well.
The company experienced its share of growing pains, but our team faced them head-on. I had the privilege of leading one of the most creative and resilient groups of sales development reps I’ve ever worked with. They consistently went above and beyond, embracing every challenge with energy and grit. I’d work with that crew again in a heartbeat. There’s not a doubt in my mind—they could take on anything and come out stronger. I still miss the daily buzz of being in the office with that team.
I then briefly returned to an IC role. When first connecting with another fast-growing startup, I instantly fell in love with the people. Taking my talents to a rapidly growing company and sales team seemed like a no-brainer. After managing for a couple of years, I quickly fell back in love with the grind that all sales positions require. Within a few months, I had become a finalist in the demo competition out of 160 representatives, exceeded my quota by 125%, and mentored some employees who were having a more challenging time getting up to speed. Before I finished onboarding, I unfortunately had to face a layoff due to the company growing too fast.
Most recently, I joined UsableNet, where I’ve continued to grow my career in sales development. My focus has been on helping the team mature by strengthening pipeline quality, refining outbound strategies, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. It’s been a rewarding chapter—one where I’ve been able to lead, coach, and make meaningful contributions to a team navigating a complex and competitive market.
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading, and I hope was as rewarding to read as it was for me to write.
Hakuna Matata
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse